1900 Olympics

Paris

The success of the revived Olympics moved Greece to declare itself the rightful host of all future Games, but de Coubertin and the International Olympic Committee were determined to move the athletic feast around. In France, however, the Games were overshadowed by the brand new Eiffel Tower and all but ignored by the organizers of the 1900 Paris Exposition.

Despite their sideshow status, the Games attracted 1,225 athletes from 26 nations and enjoyed more publicity, if not bigger crowds, than in Athens.

University of Pennsylvania roommates Alvin Kraenzlein, Irving Baxter and John Tewksbury and Purdue grad Ray Ewry dominated the 23 track and field events, winning 11 and taking five seconds and a third. Kraenzlein remains the only track and fielder to win four individual titles in one year. Women were invited to compete for the first time and Britain's Charlotte Cooper won the singles and mixed doubles in tennis.

No gold medals were given out in Paris. Winners received silver medals with bronze for second place.

Top 10 Standings

National team medal standings are not recognized by the IOC. The unofficial point totals are based on 3 points for a gold medal, 2 for a silver and 1 for a bronze.

Gold

Silver

Bronze

Total

Pts

1

France

26

37

32

95

184

2

USA

18

14

15

47

97

3

Great Britain

16

6

8

30

68

4

Belgium

6

5

5

16

33

5

Switzerland

6

1

1

8

21

6

Germany

3

2

2

7

15

7

Denmark

1

3

2

6

11

Hungary

1

3

2

6

11

9

Australia

2

0

4

6

10

Holland

1

2

3

6

10

Leading Medal Winners

Number of individual medals won on the left; gold, silver and bronze breakdown to the right.